Interesting game, one we should be winning pretty easily looking at form of both clubs, I don't see much in the Widnes team to worry about and unless they recruit I think they are nailed on for bottom place.

Talanoa out, so I would personally make that a straight swap for Micheal's, if Ellis is back he replaces Turgut.

Not sure what to do with Connor, do we have him on the bench or give him a go at centre (Griffin on the wing) or play him at Fullback in place of Shaul (Who I thought didn't have as bad a game as some on social media are making out)

Good to have options and the crowd looks like being another healthy one.

My side

Shaul
Michaels
Griffin
Carlos
Fonua
Kelly
Sneyd
Taylor
Houghton
Bowden
Mini
Manu
Thomo

Washy
Ellis
Green
Connor

Widnes' biggest problem is Betts

And Rule.

Not sure he has much influence, but who knows.

He is the CEO, so it will have been his decision to sell their best player, just before the season starts and not replace him.

I don't think Betts is a great coach, but not sure he has been given much help from his board (Be interesting to see a Widnes fans perspective, but their doesn't seem to be many on rlfans these days)

Probably sold because of finances, did he make major sales of players at FC?

With all due respect to Widnes, they do look like they will struggle this season without Brown. That should not affect they way they defend, but if they go a couple of scores down early (like they did against Cas last weekend) then the flood gates could open. If its tight up until half time, we could be in for a low scoring game.

From our teams point of view.

Michaels in for Talanoa (straight swap).

Ellis to start, Thompson to the Bench in place of Turgut.

Problem selection spot is Full Back. If I were picking the side (which clearly I am not) , I'd give Conner the nod over Shaul. 2 reasons for this. Firstly I'd be telling JS that with the squad we have there is competition for places and that he needs to concentrate on a couple of areas of his game in training. I'd be reassuring him that it would have been easy to drop him after the Hudds game (numerous dropped ball from kick offs / bombs) but that faith was kept and he retained his place. Secondly, and possibly more importantly, I'd want to see Conner having a shot at FB in a relatively low risk game to see how he goes should Shaul be injured or out of the frame in future.

Just my thoughts.

Dont think so, but made a number of errors (Along with Kath), which could have sent us the same way as Bradford, if AP hadn't saved us.

Connor to the wing. He isn't going to get picked at 6 for a while with Kelly doing well. And Shaul hasn't done enough wrong to be dropped. If Connor has a good game on the wing then that would put pressure on Shaul when Tala comes back.

Kind of agree with this. I know you don't change a winning team but no reason not to shuffle the pack a bit in respect of Shaul. Let him have a rest (not "dropped"icon_wink.gif and see him come back fighting in the future.

widnes were my tip to finish bottom this season, so far i've seen nothing to change my mind. however this is one of those games where we could get dragged down to their level if we have the wrong attitude. i see the weather could be a bit wild on friday (aftermath of some atlantic storm) but its a bit unclear at this stage.

i would keep shaul in place, he did little wrong last week. the normal move would be a straight swap tala for michaels, and this is what i envisage. could maybe see connor on the bench, though the line up will depend on whether ellis makes the team or not.

Hull FC squad: Shaul, Fonua, Tuimavave, Griffin, Connor, Kelly, Sneyd, Taylor, Houghton, Bowden, Manu, Minichiello, Ellis, Washbrook, Thompson, Green, Matongo, Michaels, Downs.

Agree. As of the wigan game..That's the start of 5 games in 24 days ridiculously. Squad as a whole will be needed and connor is short on game time and Shaul is out of form
Lot of people saying he did nothing wrong on Friday. .Well great. But we need more. By my reckoning the last time you'd say Shaul had a genuinely good game would be 12 plus games ago. We want to challenge. We need a form fullback. Cas and wigan above us have that. Use this week to stick a rocket up his backside and try jolt him into early 2016 form. Like I say loads of games coming so he'll soon be back in anyway

I was unable to attend the St's game in Friday, but did watch it on TV later. Shaul did ok, but after this below par performance at Huddersfield (which I was at) I'd have been looking for a bit more.

The squad needs to be used and as I mentioned, I'd like to see Conner in a game which was relatively low risk. FWIW, irrespective of how Conner shows (if he was selected at FB for the Widens game), I'd have Shaul back in for the Wigan match the following week. And all week I'd be in his ear telling him that his try there last year was a fluke and he should show us it wasnt a one off

To be fair whilst Shaul maybe hasn't done enough wrong to be dropped conversely I don't think he's done enough to hold down his spot.

I have to agree I think maybe putting Connor in at FB this weekend would be a positive in giving JS a shot in the arm so he realises he has to perform much better than he has so far, whilst giving Connor a run out at FB using squad rotation with the pitches being heavy it hasn't suited Shaul anpther valid reason for a change.

Talanoa is a no brainer in that it should be a straight swap with Michaels, winger for a winger otherwise why the hell did we resign him if he isnt played in this scenario?